“Sorry. I’m a handsy person.” I realize how weird that sounds. “I gesture with my hands and touch people a lot.” Not much better of an explanation. Griffin’s eyebrows shoot up, but the rest of his face is unreadable. If his skin is tingling from our interaction, he’s much better at hiding it than I am.

“It’s fine.” He turns his gaze back out to the city. “Everything that matters to me has always been right here.”

He says it so reverently, I have to wonder if he’s talking about a woman, someone he cares deeply for. The loving look on his face has my ribs tightening with jealousy, which is absurd because I just met this man and have absolutely no claim to him. A few hours ago, I was hoping that Alec would propose to me tonight. Now, that thought feels as absurd as me having jealous feelings over a man I’ve known for five minutes.

“That’s a shitty thing to do.” He says.

“What?”

“Break up with someone over the phone.”

“It was a voicemail, so technically he didn’t even talk to me.”

Griffin shakes his head. “That’s fucked up.”

I shrug, not wanting his words to penetrate the champagne fog I’ve been operating under for the past few hours. “But I’m here now. Having fun.”

My phone rings. It’s Jess.

“Where are you? The shows going to start in a few minutes.”

“Oh, right. Yeah, I’ll be there in a minute.” I drop my phone back in my clutch.

Griffin glances at his watch.

“Shit. I’ve got to go.”

We make our way over to the door and I wait while Griffin unlocks it.

I hesitate. Would asking what he’s doing later be too forward? It is my night. I should be celebrating the success of my new line’s launch. And then there’s the fact that it’s my birthday and I’m newly single. Griffin seems like a nice guy. The kind of guy I could have a little fun with. Before I can get the words out, he turns to say goodbye.

“Have a good night, Emma,” his deep voice is smooth, like a caress.

“You, too.” I finally call out when he’s at the bottom of the stairs, but he doesn’t look back.